In the wake of a Crime Branch probe into the May 7 lynching of a Government Railway Police (GRP) constable, at least four police officers were suspended and two home guards dismissed on Sunday, officials said.
Additionally, the Inspector-in-Charge of Balianta police station, Anil Kumar Parida, has been moved to the Bhubaneswar headquarters, with Rashmita Behera appointed as his successor.
Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh clarified that the disciplinary actions were taken because the personnel failed to save the constable’s life despite arriving at the scene promptly.
Following a review meeting, Singh said, “The four police personnel and two home guards have been taken to task because they failed to protect the life of a man from the mob, even as they reached the spot on time. The crime branch has been probing the case.”
He said discussions were also held on improving policing standards and restoring public confidence.
DGP Y. B. Khurania noted that the review meeting focused on recent incidents within the Balianta and Balipatna jurisdictions. Discussions centred on identifying how such lapses occurred and determining the necessary steps to restore public confidence and a sense of security in the region.
The Crime Branch took over the investigation of the case following a directive from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
“The crime branch has taken over the investigation, considering the sensitivity of the case involving alleged sexual assault and subsequent death due to mob violence,” an official statement said.
The suspended personnel include a sub-inspector, an assistant sub-inspector, an Odisha Armed Police Force member, and a PCR van constable. The two home guards previously assigned to the PCR van have been disengaged from service, officials said.
The victim, GRP constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, was reportedly killed by a mob following an accusation of attempted rape levelled by a woman.
So far, police have arrested 11 people in connection with the fatal assault.
The victim’s father has leveled serious allegations, claiming his son was beaten to death in the presence of the police personnel. He further alleged that some officers on the scene may have participated in the physical assault on his son.
The Crime Branch has formed two specialised teams to manage the two major investigations. One team is focused on the attempted rape allegation, while the second is investigating the lynching where one person was beaten to death.
Officials further stated that the conduct of the police during the entire episode is also under scrutiny.
On Sunday, senior Crime Branch officials, including SP Anirudha Routyray and DSP Ratnaprava Satpathy, visited the crime scene to initiate an investigation into the lynching case.
“Considering the sensitiveness of the cases registered over alleged sexual assault and subsequent death of Soumya Ranjan Swain by the mob, CID Crime Branch, Odisha, Cuttack has taken over the investigation by order of the DGP,” the agency said in a statement.
Crime Branch DIG Battula Gangadhar stated that the probe will utilise scientific methods, including forensic analysis and dog squads, to reach a logical conclusion.
He warned that any evidence of police negligence would result in further legal and departmental consequences.
The incident reportedly began on May 7 when Swain and his companion, Om Prakash Rout, were involved in a road mishap with two women on a scooter.
Police state that following the collision, Swain allegedly assaulted one of the women, which triggered a confrontation that escalated into an attack by a mob of approximately 40 people.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, criticised the state government, with the BJD demanding a judicial probe and the Congress alleging a deterioration in law and order. The BJP, however, said the government acted swiftly after the incident.
